Articles of Confederation

Americans recognized the need for some form of national government. The Constitutional Congress created the ​ (a)   in 1776 and 1777 to solve this problem.

• Articles of Confederation
• Constitution
• Declaration of Independence

No chief executive; Congress had no power to tax; 9 out of 13 states had to agree in order to pass a law.

These are ​ (a)   of the Articles of Confederation.

• weaknesses
• strengths

Congress can declare war; Congress can negotiate treaties; Congress passed the Northwest Ordinance

These are ​ (a)   of the Articles of Confederation.

• strengths
• weaknesses

What did colonists fear about creating a central government?

• Increased taxes
• Lack of representation
• The government would be too weak to enforce laws

• The government would be too powerful

The Articles of Confederation placed most of governmental power in the hands of ​ (a)   making it weak in power.

• individual states
• the national government

Why was it difficult for Congress to fulfill its duties under the Articles of Confederation?

• Any congressional action required executive approval

• Most decisions required the approval of at least nine states

• Congress lacked the power to regulate foreign trade

The Northwest Ordinance established guidelines for the orderly expansion of the United States by instituting a . . .

• method to purchase territory from foreign powers

• compromise line that prohibited slavery in the West

• process through which states could be added to the United States

Shay's Rebellion revealed that the Articles of Confederation were ​ (a)   , particularly in dealing with uprisings inside the country.

• weak
• perfect
• strong